Overview

This is a one-day gastronomic chartered bus tour departing from Tokyo. It takes you on a journey through various Kiuchi Brewery locations scattered across Ibaraki Prefecture, allowing you to experience the passion and dedication behind their sake-making process firsthand. While visiting these brewing sites, you can savor the local Hitachino beverages and cuisine. The bus is equipped with a bar counter, offering free-flowing drinks such as Hitachino Nest Beer and Hinomaru Whisky. The tour includes visits to the Yasato Distillery, Nukata Brewery, and Konosu Sake Brewery, where you can enjoy tastings and guided tours at each location. A lunch featuring local ingredients is also provided, allowing you to indulge in the rich flavors of Hitachino paired with whisky. Exclusive factory tours and original merchandise are available only to tour participants, making it an irresistible experience for sake enthusiasts.

Hotel Pickup (9:30 AM)
The Bus and guide will pick you up at your accommodation within Tokyo's 23 wards.

Moriya Service Area / Break (10:20–10:40 AM)
A 20-minute break at Moriya Service Area, which features a food court with six restaurants, a stylish bakery, a vegetable market, and shops offering delicacies, sweets, and traditional Japanese confections—providing a shopping experience akin to a department store basement.

Yasato Distillery / Whisky Tasting / Lunch (11:30 AM–12:50 PM)
Located in the tranquil satoyama landscape of the Yasato area, with views of Mount Tsukuba, the Yasato Distillery began operations in 2020. During the guided tour, expert staff will walk you through the whisky-making process, offering an up-close look at the brewing and distillation of Hinomaru Whisky. Lunch includes a plate of house-made prosciutto from the on-site Hitachino Ham Workshop BARREL SMOKE, natural yeast bread made with buckwheat bran from Hitachi Aki Soba, grilled vegetables using fresh Ibaraki produce, and a seasonal soup. After lunch, you can shop for limited-edition Hinomaru Whisky bottles, original glassware, and cured meats like prosciutto, bacon, and sausages produced at BARREL SMOKE.

Tasting: Three varieties of Hinomaru Whisky, including distillery exclusives.

Lunch : Enjoy a plate of house-made prosciutto crafted on-site at the distillery’s ham workshop, accompanied by naturally leavened bread made with buckwheat flour, grilled seasonal vegetables, and a soup made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients from Ibaraki—served within the distillery while gazing out at the scenic view of Mt.Tsukuba.

Tomobe Service Area / Break (13:20–13:40 PM)
A 20-minute break at Tomobe Service Area, known for its wide selection of local gourmet foods and souvenirs made with ingredients like Hitachi beef, Tsukuba pork, Okukuji eggs, natto, melons, and sweet potatoes. It's a favorite among drivers for its delicious offerings.

Nukata Brewery / Beer Tasting (14:15–15:15 PM)
Nukata Brewery is the production site for Hitachino Nest Beer. Equipped with state-of-the-art brewing facilities, it supplies beer not only domestically but also to fans in about 50 countries across America, Asia, and Europe. Although the brewery is not usually open to the public, this tour offers a special guided visit, including tastings of Hitachino Nest Beer.
Tasting: Two varieties of Hitachino Nest Beer.

Konosu Sake Brewery / Sake Tasting (15:45–17:00 PM)
Established in 1823, Konosu Sake Brewery is the heart of Kiuchi Brewery's operations, producing not only sake like Kikumori but also wine, shochu, plum wine, and cider. Enjoy a guided tour and sake tasting led by knowledgeable staff. The premises also house a soba restaurant, Nakaya, built in the traditional kura style, and a shop where you can sample and purchase freshly brewed sake and original products.
Tasting: Two to three varieties of Kiuchi Brewery's sake.

Hotel Drop-off (18:30 PM)
The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.

About "Bar-on-Bus"

Hitachino
The bus features a bar counter with taps, allowing you to enjoy a variety of Kiuchi Brewery's beverages—including Hitachino Nest Beer, Hinomaru Whisky, Hinomaru Gin Kura Fudo Soda Mix, and Kiuchi Umeshu—in a free-flow setting during stops and while on the road. The bus's green exterior, adorned with the iconic owl logo reminiscent of Hitachino's landscapes, was designed by Mitsuhiro Ikeda of DRAWER, known for numerous branding projects. The logo's handcrafted feel reflects Kiuchi Brewery's commitment to craftsmanship in sake-making. The interior design, inspired by a bird's nest to honor Hitachino Nest Beer, was created by Jamo Associates, renowned for sophisticated adult spaces like Trunk Hotel. Wooden elements are used throughout the bus to create a cozy atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your drinks.

Menu Offerings: Hitachino Nest Beer (2 types), Hinomaru Whisky (straight/rock/highball), Hinomaru Gin Kura Fudo Soda Mix, Kiuchi Umeshu (straight/rock/soda mix), and soft drinks.

About Kiuchi Brewery
Founded in 1823 in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kiuchi Brewery is a long-established sake brewery producing sake, beer, and whisky. Their flagship sake, "Kikumori Yamada Nishiki Shiboritate," made with the highest-grade sake rice "Yamada Nishiki," is known for its floral aroma and crisp taste. In 1996, they began producing the craft beer "Hitachino Nest Beer," recognizable by its owl label, now sold in over 40 countries worldwide. Notably, "Hitachino Nest Beer Nipponia," made with the revived "Kaneko Golden" barley, domestic hops, and sake rice, has garnered significant attention. Kiuchi Brewery ventured into whisky production in 2016, and their "Hinomaru Whisky," distilled at the Yago Distillery in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, has won numerous awards at international competitions like the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 and the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2025.

Cancellation Policy
・Up to 11 days before the tour: Full refund.
・8 to 10 days before the tour: 20% cancellation fee.
・2 to 7 days before the tour: 30% cancellation fee.
・1 day before the tour: 50% cancellation fee.
・Day of the tour: No refund.